California's northern coast -- including parts of Marin County, Sutter County, Humboldt County and Lake County -- will get a good soaking rain for at least a full 12 hours, beginning at about 6 p.m. Wednesday and finally starting to let up at about 6 a.m. Thursday.

More than 6 inches of rain are expected in many of those areas by about 11:30 a.m. Thursday, which could lead to some significant flooding.

Valley and Sierra residents will first experience damaging winds overnight before seeing heavy rain when the front of the closely watched storm crosses into Sacramento at about 10 a.m. Thursday.

By 6 a.m. Thursday, widespread winds throughout the region from Sacramento to the foothills and the Sierra could reach gusts of 50-60 mph.

Then comes the rain. The heaviest precipitation is expected to kick off in the late morning hours at about 9 or 10 a.m. in Sacramento. Bursts of rain, ranging from moderate to heavy, will continue through the day until sunset.

Areas around Sacramento and Marysville could get 2 1/2 inches of rain, while Stockton may get a little more than 2 inches of precipitation.

Before the storm, Sacramento will start off with cloudy conditions and some patchy fog may developed overnight as the storm begins to move closer to the region. Some of the thickest fog will hover over San Joaquin County.

Unlike the last two days, no fog advisory has been issued for Wednesday.

Extended forecast:

Wednesday night -- Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain in the evening, then rain likely after midnight. Very windy. Lows 53 to 58. Southeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around 40 mph increasing to 25 to 40 mph with gusts to around 55 mph after midnight.

Thursday -- Rain in the morning, then heavy rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Very windy. Highs 56 to 61. Southeast winds 25 to 45 mph with gusts to around 60 mph.